OUR MISSION
We empower hospitality businesses to thrive by leveraging technology to improve processes and experiences and reducethe cost of doing business.
ABOUT US
Commencing in 2007, My Local Foodie is now Australia’s leading kitchen management platform. We are led by a talented team of procurement experts, operational managers, and past business owners, proudly serving hundreds of venues across Australia with our flagship product Costimator.
Along with our personalised procurement service, FoodieBuy, and dedicated Client Success Managers, we help businesses streamline their operations. Our goal is simple: to make kitchen management efficient, cost-effective, and stress-free, empowering businesses to buy smarter, save better, and achieve repeatable success, meal after meal.
With our value proposition—“Easy Kitchen Management, Cost-effective Procurement”—we provide intuitive software and expert support to ensure our clients get the right products at the right price.
At My Local Foodie, we’re a team of procurement specialists, chefs, former business owners, and industry professionals who genuinely care about helping hospitality businesses thrive by working closely with our distributors, clients, and stakeholders to make kitchen operations more efficient and profitable. Our Client Success team supports hundreds of venues across Australia with hands-on guidance and tailored solutions whilst our procurement team, FoodieBuy, ensures businesses get the right products at the right price by partnering with trusted Distributors. Our mission is simple:
We empower businesses to thrive by leveraging technology to improve processes and experiences and reduce the cost of doing business.
Maria Kucherhan – CEO
Meet the foodies behind the technology
A dedicated team passionate about kitchen efficiency and your success
Maria Kucherhan
CEOAt My Local Foodie, we’re a team who genuinely care about helping hospitality businesses thrive by working closely with our distributors, clients, and stakeholders to make kitchen operations more efficient and profitable. Our Client Success team supports hundreds of venues across Australia with hands-on guidance and tailored solutions whilst our Business Support and Procurement teams ensures businesses get the right products at the right price by partnering with trusted distributors and manufactures. Our mission is simple - We empower businesses to thrive by leveraging technology to improve processes and experiences and reduce the cost of doing business.
Melen Chenn
Head of Business SupportAs Head of Business Support, I focus on optimising operations, streamlining procurement, and enhancing financial processes to drive efficiency. With a background in business development, account management, and financial analysis, I take a data-driven approach to improving workflows and strengthening client relationships. At My Local Foodie, we’re all about making kitchen management easier and procurement more cost-effective so I ensure our team provides distributors, manufacturing partners, and clients with the tools and insights they need to achieve these results and long-term success.
David Carnovale
Business Development & Client Success Manager - VIC/SA/TASMy 20 year hospitality journey has led me from my family’s kitchen through to some incredible experiences - cooking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, preparing meals for the British Royal Family, and launching award-winning venues like the WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex. Along the way, I’ve gained a deep understanding of what it takes to run high-performing kitchens and manage large-scale operations. With food as my passion, I am now part of My Local Foodie where I get to combine that passion with technology. By leveraging data-driven insights, I help large venue groups and clubs with solutions to make smarter decisions, streamline operations, and optimise profitability, this making my work incredibly rewarding.
Nathan Reed
Business development & Client Success Manager - NSW/ACT/QLDFood is my way of life and after 25 years in hospitality across three continents, I’ve done it all from Head Chef to General Manager, and everything in between. Texas BBQ, Vietnamese Bánh Mì and English Fish & Chips, you name it - I’ve eaten it, cooked it and costed it. Since joining My Local Foodie, I’ve been helping venues across Australia optimise their P&L with the help of our Costimator platform. Personable and approachable, I roll up my sleeves, work side-by-side with chefs, listen to what’s needed and deliver tailored solutions with tangible results that make a real difference. Nothing beats seeing our clients succeed, and I’m proud to be part of a team that shares my love for food and innovation.
Alex Farquhar
Client Success ManagerPrecision matters, especially when it comes to percentages in business and with 25 years in hospitality my strong reputation for excellence has followed me across Queensland and Victoria. I’ve managed venues, owned retail wine businesses, and developed a sharp eye for the numbers that make or break a business. Whether it’s food costs, stock control, or profit margins, at My Local Foodie, I’m all about helping venues streamline operations, improve efficiency, and boost profitability. Being a strong advocate for technology-driven solutions, I am proud to now represent a company and be part of a team that all have the common goal to empower hospitality businesses to thrive.
Iain Capovilla
Client Success CoordinatorBeing part of the My Local Foodie team excites me. Having worked in some of Melbourne’s most iconic hotels and venues such as Avanti at Witchmount, Chill Restaurant, Rydges Bell City Hotel, and the Phoenix Hotel Point Cook (where I worked alongside our very own Dave!) I now use my experience to support clients to operate at optimal efficiency. As a former chef, I know the daily pressures of running a kitchen; balancing food costs, managing suppliers, and keeping service running smoothly and by helping clients make the most of our leading kitchen management system Costimator, they can now control costs and focus on what matters most to them - creating great food.
Ashmita Shrestha
Data and Insights Analyst, Business SupportWith over 7 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry, combined with the skills gained through a Master’s degree in Information Technology -Data Analytics, I strongly resonate with My Local Foodie’s passion for empowering hospitality businesses. As a former Food and Beverage Manager, I understand firsthand the challenges of running a business cost-effectively amidst rising market costs. I bring a unique blend of technical expertise and hands-on industry insight to support smarter procurement, streamlined processes, and enhanced customer experiences through data-driven insights. I’m proud to be part of a team that shares a deep passion for food and is committed to helping businesses thrive by leveraging technology to improve operations, elevate experiences, and deliver cost-effective solutions.
Doreen See
Head of ProcurementWith over 20 years of procurement and supply-chain experience across FMCG, retail, QSR and food manufacturing, I bring a commercially focused approach to ensuring MLF clients receive the right products at competitive prices from reliable, high-quality supply partners. I have managed major portfolios across commodities, ingredients, packaging, contract manufacturing and services, working with farmers, importers, distributors, and large multinational suppliers both locally and internationally. My background includes roles with Scalzo Foods, Cadbury Schweppes, Kraft Foods, Coles Supermarkets, Saputo Dairy Australia and Riviana Foods. This end-to-end industry experience allows me to deeply understand cost drivers, market dynamics, commodity trends, and supplier capabilities across the full food supply chain. MLF stakeholders benefit from this expertise through strong supplier negotiations, robust price benchmarking, transparent procurement processes and reliable sourcing solutions tailored to the needs of hospitality venues. My focus is to deliver value, consistency and service excellence—ensuring our clients have the right products, at the right price, with the right partners behind them.
Ashely Shi
Data AnalystWith five years of experience working across analytics, I’ve learned that good data doesn’t just answer questions,it makes everyone’s day a little easier. As a Data Analyst at My Local Foodie, I focus on improving data quality, optimising and automating reporting workflows, ensuring the information within Costimator is accurate, consistent, and easy for teams to use, and building insights that support stronger commercial and operational outcomes. I enjoy understanding how different parts of the business connect, and then designing solutions that simplify processes, reduce manual effort, and make reporting more scalable. I collaborate closely with Business Support, Procurement and Client Success to ensure our data and systems speak the same language, enabling smoother operations and stronger commercial outcomes. I’m motivated by solving problems and helping people work more efficiently.
Chris Downes
Client Success Manager - VICMy Local Foodie gives me the chance to continue to share my passion of the food industry with like minded people and present the industry-leading software product to assist the hospitality industry understand their business in finer detail. I bring 20 years of experience across both culinary arts and sales through all food and beverage platforms. My goal is to be an industry leading trusted advisor.
What we stand for
OUR VALUES
Sustainability
We strive to achieve a balance between commercial viability, social wellness and environmental benefit. By prioritising responsible resource management, we aim to protect our planet while still delivering value to our clients and communities.
Community
By fostering strong relationships and supporting initiatives that align with our values, we aim to contribute to a positive environment for everyone.
Compliance
We are committed to upholding the highest standards of compliance in all our operations including financial, privacy, workplace safety, and ethical guidelines. This maintains our reputation for reliability and fosters trust with our clients and partners.
CULTURAL VALUES
Transparency
We foster an environment of openness, which facilitates open communication to drive success as a team.
Accountability
We readily offer feedback and take ownership for our actions. Responsibility for our outcomes, both positive and challenging, is critical to our continuous improvement and success.
Ambition
We are driven, fuelled by a determined mindset to not just reach — but exceed — our goals and stakeholders’ expectations.
Integrity
We commit to honesty and ethical behaviour across every facet of our business. Even when no one is watching. We foster collaboration and celebrate achievement with members and clients alike, ensuring that people are respected and always desire to connect.